Vacuum chamber



2 Sheets-Sheet l rim/0 Z Z Fe, H, 1417. A. H. HEINEMAN 2,415,425

VACUUM CHAMBER .F iled June 11, 1945 2 Sheets-$11661; 2

' the webs 23, as shown in Patented Feb. 11, 1947 UNITED! STATES PATENT oer-ice i I I vnoufifi ofizmm g I Arnold H. Heineman,

Guardite Corporation,

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Chicago, 111., assignor to The a corporation or Illi- Application June 11, 1945, Serial No. 598,879

This invention relates to a vacuum chamber and more particularly to a test chamber within which wide variations in pressure and temperature may be rapidly and frequently made.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure -1 is a side elevation of one form of the structure; Figure 2 is an end elevation of one end; Figure 3 is a tion of the door end; Figure 4 isa horizontal section along the line '4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a vertical section along the line 5-5 in Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a vertical section along'the line 66 in Figure 4.

The vessel l comprises an inner vacuum chamber H which is bounded by three substantially parallel spaced walls l2, l3 and lgl- The inner wall I2 is preferably a diaphragm incapable of supporting the pressure of the atmosphere, and

made of a metal which is not affected by cold,

such as nickel or high nickel alloys. Between it and the second wall I3 is an insulating space l which is filled with a solid insulating material I6 I such as cork. The wall I3 is a pressure-sustaining wall, and any, pressure on the wall I2 is transmitted through the insulation to the wall l3.

Between the walls 13 and I4 is a second insulation chamber 20 which is subdivided into intercommunicating insulating chambers 2|, best shown in Figure 6. These chambers are defined by the walls 13 and M, by the verticalwebs 22 and 22a, and the horizontal webs 2.3 and 23a.

As best shown in Figure 5, the websare serrated at their outer portions to form cut-away portions 24 and 25. These serrations are staggered to prevent collapse of the structure. These portions serve to lighten the chamber but primarily serve to cut down heat transfer. The cutaway portions may be placed adjacent the inner edge of the partitions. The positioning depends upon stress conditions in the outer and central shells; that is, depends upon whether tension or compression is present.

As shown in Figures are weldedto the wall Ii, as indicated at 26, and extend through the wall l3 and are welded on the inside thereof, as indicated at 27. Similarly Figure 5, are carried through the wall l3, and are welded at 28, these webs being welded as at 29 to the wall l4.

A door 39 is provided at the end of the chamher opening the full width thereof. Various windows 3| are provided for inspection or for various attachments. Means are provided for evacuating the hamber, as for example, a line 32 leading to suitable evacuating equipment. Means 33 are 6 Claims. (01. 98-29) fragmentary end eleva- 4, 5 and 6 the various webs also provided for evacuating the chamberll formed between the walls l3 and I4; and means 34 are provided for evacuating the insulating chamber IS. The absolute pressure within insulating chamber I5 is preferably kept below pressure within the testchamber H, so that pressure is always maintained outwardly upon the wall l2. Pressures within the series of chambers 20 and 2| which go to make up the outer insulating chamber H are likewise kept low for insulating value.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent; is:

l. A vacuum chamber having walls defining an inner shell, a central shell, and an outer shell, which shells define respectively the acuum chamber, an inner insulating chamber, and an outer insulating chamber, the inner shell being a flexible diaphragm, a'solid insulating material in the inner insulating chamber transmitting compressive stresses from the flexible diaphragm to the central shell, means in the outer insulating chamber carrying stresses from the outer to the central shell, means for evacuating the vacuum chamber, and means for evacuating the in sulating chambers, said last-mentioned means being adapted to produce an absolute pressure in the inner insulating chamber below the absolute pressure in the vacuum chamber.

2. A vacuum chamber as set forth in claim 1, in which the means for evacuating the outer insulating chamber is independent of the means for evacuating the inner insulating chamber.

3. A vacuum chamber as set'forth in claim 1, in which the outer shell and central shell are supported in spaced relationship by intersecting transverse webs.

4. A vacuum chamber as set forth in claim 1, in which the outer shell and central shellare supported in spaced relationship by intersecting transverse webs, said webs having staggered ,cut-

', away portions adjacent the outer shell.

shell cut away, said cut-away portions being staggered in adjacent partitions.

6. A vacuum chamber as set forth in claim 1, in which the outer shell and central shell are supported in spaced relationship by a plurality of intersecting sheet metal partitions, said partltions being welded to the inner surface of the outer shell and having portions extending through the central shell and welded to the inner surface'thereot.

' ARNOLD H. HEINEMAN.

REFERENCES QITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number Australian May 31, 1934 

